Leap year birthday keeps you young

If you only have an official birthday every four years, do you get to stay young forever? These people with Leap Year birthdays say they do.

Stephanie Berberick

If you only have an official birthday every four years, do you get to stay young forever? These leaplings say they do.

Bridget Finnegan

Date of birth: Feb. 29, 1996

Eating pizza after a day of ice skating is a great way to celebrate a birthday, especially when it only comes every four years.

But Bridget Finnegan, 12, of New Hartford, N.Y., didn't always enjoy being a leap year baby.

When she was younger, Bridget wasn't happy about not getting to celebrate her birthday on the day she was born until she turned 4. To compensate, her parents always wrote a 29 on their February calendar.

This year, the calendar already came with a space for Bridget's third official birthday, and she couldn't be more excited.

Bridget, who attends Bradley Elementary School, looks forward to never having too many candles on her cake.

“I'll never turn 40 and have a mid-life crisis,” she said.

Reid Beattie

Date of birth: Feb. 29, 1996

When Reid Beattie of New Hartford, N.Y., told a child he only has celebrated two official birthdays, the youngster wanted to know if Reid slept in a crib.

Reid, 12, found it humorous and tried to explain that his birthday only comes once every four years.

Reid, who is in the same sixth-grade class as fellow leap year baby Bridget Finnegan at Bradley Elementary School, plans to spend his third official birthday today in the company of friends.

Reid enjoys being a leap year baby, he said.

“I think leapers are a different from other people,” he said. “They are more energetic and passionate.”

His mother, Elena, agreed.

“We used to make Reid run circles around the house to wear him down,” she said.

Timothy Crumb

Date of birth: Feb. 29, 1992

Learning to drive, playing defensive tackle in football and hanging out with friends is a lot for a 4-year-old to take on.

But Timothy Crumb, who also is known as Big-T, is not your average 4-year-old.
Crumb, of Westmoreland, N.Y., was born Feb. 29, 1992, which would make him 16 if he had a birthday every year.

“I think it's kind of cool that I get a birthday every four years.” Crumb said.

Crumb's friends get a kick out of his unusual birthday, and enjoy commenting on his age by saying thing such as “He's only 3” in the middle of class, he said.

Crumb plans to spend time with his friends and his family for his birthday.

When asked how many candles will be on his cake this year — four or 16 — he laughed and said “knowing my mom, probably four.”

Jennifer Scoones

Date of birth: Feb. 29, 1968

Jennifer Scoones of Vernon, N.Y., is a redhead and a leap year baby — two characteristics that make her stand out in a room full of people, she said.

And Scoones, 40, is not disappointed about her hair color or her birthday.

“It makes me unique,” she said. “No one can duplicate me.”

Scoones' opinion has changed since her childhood, when she felt cheated because she didn't have a birthday every year.

“All of my friends had a birthday, and I never had one,” she said.

Now, Scoones looks to her birthday, and this year is planning an all-day ski trip.

“I feel like I'm not aging in a sense,” she said.

Scoones' oldest son, David, 11, tells his friends that he is older than his mother, a statement that has made Scoones a local celebrity in his class.

“The kids get the biggest chuckle,” she said. “They stop and point at me.”

Adam DeGrace

Date of birth: Feb. 29, 1980

About a year ago, Adam DeGrace of Remsen, N.Y., returned home after serving in the Navy for five years.

Today, he will celebrate his seventh official birthday.

Despite his youth, his thoughts are not on presents or fancy toys.

His mind is set to the future, which he hopes will be filled with the kind of airplanes you cannot purchase at a toy store.

Since returning home from the Navy, DeGrace has taken a year off to work and decide on his future plans.

That year led DeGrace, 28, to Mohawk Valley Community College's airframe and powerplant program.

“I'm interested in aircraft maintenance and over-hauling,” he said.

Susan Nackley Mojave

Date of birth: Feb. 29, 1964

Susan Nackley Mojave of New Hartford, N.Y., was born on leap day — a day that fits her personality, she said, because it's special and unique.

“I like being different,” she said. “I started right from the beginning.”

Mojave, 44, looks forward to leap years. After all, she only gets an actual birthday once every four years.

And when it comes to celebrating, “we do things big around here,” she said.

When she turned 9 (two leap years ago), Mojave had her guests attend her party dressed as they would if they were 9 again.

This year, Mojave is planning a James Bond party, and her basement will be transformed into the Casino Royale.

Guests will be able to identify her if they look for the woman wearing a crystal tiara.

The tiara is a leap year tradition for Mojave, who wears it from sun up to sun down every Feb. 29.

Deborah Militello Semeraro

Date of birth: Feb. 29, 1960

Deborah Militello Semeraro of Utica, N.Y., remembers all of her leap year birthdays fondly, but her 10th was her favorite, she said.

Semeraro, 48, was born Feb. 29, 1960, which means today is her 12th official birthday.

Eight years ago — when she was celebrating No. 10 — Semeraro treated herself to a massage, which she described as the kind where they “rub your head with all that lotion.”

The massage was followed by a surprise party.

Semeraro's family always has “razzed” her about her official age by giving her children's presents, including hair barrettes and a Peter Rabbit coloring book.

Semeraro plans to spend today at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, where she hopes her real birthday will bring her some luck.